Following these tips can help you drive safely with arthritis.

When you are diagnosed with arthritis, you need to make some lifestyle adjustments to ensure your comfort, health and safety. Arthritis can affect many aspects of your health, making activities like driving a car a bit more difficult. Following these tips can help you drive safely with arthritis.

1. Figure out if you are well enough to operate a vehicle

Most people with arthritis are able to drive a car, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that you consult with your physician if you have any questions about how your joint mobility might affect your abilities behind the wheel. They also note that if you take medication for your condition that causes you to feel faint or tired, you should avoid operating a car after taking it. Additionally, keep up with your arthritis treatment to ensure your muscles stay strong enough to drive for as long as possible.

2. Use caution

Because of muscle stiffness, you may find it harder to react quickly. This can pose a serious problem when driving, especially in inclement weather. Joint Essential notes that you should avoid the roads when it is raining, snowing, icy or foggy for your safety and the safety of others. If arthritis affects you in the neck, you could experience issues when trying to back out of parking spots, so make sure you leave your vehicle in an area where it is easy for you to maneuver. Avoid getting behind the wheel at night, due to limited visibility, and stick to roads where the speed limit is lower than it is on overwhelming - and often dangerous - major highways.

3. Make modifications

There are a number of changes you can make to your car to adapt it to your needs. According to Joint Essential, you can use hand brakes if your feet or knees are too inflamed to quickly hit the pedals. If you are experiencing weakness or pain in your right foot, you may want to try using a left-foot gas pedal and put a guard over the original one. Even if you have no trouble in these areas, arthritic hands can make it difficult to fasten your seatbelt and grip the steering wheel. A safety belt extension handle can help you be safe, while special steering controls can assist with changing directions.

4. Know when you should seek alternatives

Even if you are usually an excellent driver, consider taking a break on days when your arthritis symptoms act up. Ask a friend or family member for help or try walking, taking public transportation or calling a taxi. NHTSA notes that many communities and religious groups sponsor senior citizen transportation shuttles. Investigate the options in your community and see if you meet the requirements to participate.

Since arthritis could affect you mentally, increase exhaustion and contribute to other health issues, pay attention to more than just muscle aches before you decide to drive. If you do not feel completely comfortable getting behind the wheel, it is best to find a different transportation option.

For more on living healthy with arthritis:

Cooking with Arthritis
Helping Someone Cope with Arthritis
Advice. Good, Bad? How to Decide, How to Say No